Will Turner was unreliable, and the former Governor, Weatherby Swann, also had no good ideas. As a British nobleman, he was used to handling matters through proper channels and rule-abiding methods.
Now that his greatest source of support had been stripped away by his opponent, he was completely powerless to fight back. His only remaining hope was that Ethan was not a spy, but rather someone from within the country, preferably a member of some secret organization. Only that could explain his mysterious background.
If Ethan truly held such an identity, then the most severe charge against Swann—colluding with a person of unknown background (suspected of conspiring with a foreign spy)—could be dismissed.
If that accusation was cleared, the rest of the charges would be minor, and Weatherby Swann could easily deal with them. He might not even need to return to face trial, and could be reinstated immediately.
Unfortunately, Ethan's identity wasn't what he imagined. Although Ethan's earlier attitude of not caring much about Beckett had given him a glimmer of hope, Ethan soon clarified the situation.
"How could it not be?"
Swann was devastated. Although Ethan claimed he wasn't a spy, even if he were just a civilian, that still wouldn't be good enough!
Ethan shook his head. Swann was a decent person and had helped him a great deal in the past. He wouldn't just stand by and do nothing.
What Swann didn't know was that even without him, Beckett would still have made him a target. To accomplish his goals, Beckett needed to remove Swann. And Beckett wasn't someone who played by the rules. He would use whatever methods were necessary.
People like Weatherby Swann, who insisted on acting within the rules, were rarely able to hold their ground against enemies like that. In the original plot, Beckett casually disposed of Swann with a flimsy excuse.
Elizabeth had only learned of her father's death when she returned from the land of the dead. That was when Swann himself finally realized he had died—he had never expected Beckett would take action against him.
Compared to the original plot, in this altered timeline where Ethan had disrupted the story, it was even more reasonable for Beckett to want him dead. With the charge of colluding with a suspected foreign spy, Beckett could kill Weatherby Swann with full justification, and even Swann himself wouldn't be able to dispute it.
"Don't worry. Elizabeth will be fine."
After all, this matter was partially his responsibility. Because of his interference, Swann's situation had become much worse. Ethan had made up his mind to reverse it.
However, his method would be simple and crude. He wasn't sure whether Swann would be able to accept it.
"How do you plan to do that?"
"First, let's get Elizabeth out. A prison is no place for a noble lady. And I doubt Beckett is offering her any special treatment."
Although the young blacksmith Will Turner hadn't gone through the same trials he did in the original plot, he still had pirate blood in his veins and never lacked courage when it mattered.
Previously, he had hoped Weatherby Swann could resolve the crisis through legitimate means.
Once he realized that was no longer possible, he began to consider more unorthodox solutions.
"Break her out of prison?"
Weatherby Swann frowned. It wasn't that he objected to the idea, but the prison in Port Royal was not an easy place to infiltrate. Even if they stormed in and rescued Elizabeth, then what? How would they escape from Port Royal with thousands of soldiers around them?
"There's no need to break her out. Lord Cutler Beckett will personally return Elizabeth to us."
Ethan set the teacup in his hand down and raised his voice, not even turning toward the door.
"Wouldn't you agree, Lord Beckett?"
The door to the parlor was suddenly pushed open, and in walked Beckett, flanked by two squads of musketeers.
Wearing his uniform, Beckett entered with his hands behind his back and his head held high. He cast a curious glance at Ethan, who remained seated calmly.
Weatherby Swann and Will Turner instinctively stood up when the soldiers burst in. Seeing the rows of musketeers pointing their weapons at them, their faces turned grim.
And with good reason. Just moments ago, they had been discussing plans to rescue someone from Port Royal's prison. Now the man in charge of the port had arrived in person.
Judging by the timing, Beckett had probably been outside the door for some time. If Ethan hadn't spoken up when he did, Beckett might have continued eavesdropping. If he had waited until they finished their conversation and then burst in, the scene would have been even more awkward.
"So you're Ethan?"
Beckett looked at him condescendingly, almost like he was going to poke Ethan in the chest. The only reason he didn't was because he was still sizing him up with a bit of curiosity.
He didn't look very old—probably around twenty-three or twenty-four. He was tall, even sitting down.
His clothes were unusual, but the material was clearly high-quality—definitely not something commoners could afford.
Beckett was also speculating on Ethan's true identity. Given his fearless demeanor, was it possible he really belonged to some secret department within the country?
He wanted to probe further, but Ethan had no interest in playing that game. He hated conversations filled with veiled hints and back-and-forth wordplay.
A simple matter could end up dragging on for days of scheming and political maneuvering. Ethan didn't have that kind of patience. For him, this problem was quite easy to solve.
"I'm Ethan. You don't need to waste time probing my background. I'm not British."
Weatherby Swann's face instantly turned pale. He didn't even know how to curse Ethan in his heart. Even if you're not British, must you say it out loud right now? Doesn't this confirm the charge of colluding with a spy? Don't you see the dozen muskets pointed at us? Beckett could have us all riddled with bullets on the spot!
"Governor Swann, don't worry. Beckett wouldn't dare kill you or Will. He's relying on using your daughter to threaten Will into doing his bidding."
Beckett's previously composed expression immediately darkened.
He wanted to demand how Ethan knew his plan, but he quickly realized it was pointless. If the man really was a spy, he wouldn't reveal anything. And if he had simply deduced it, there was nothing to gain by asking.
"Seize him."
Regardless, he had to be detained. Since Ethan wasn't a British subject, Beckett had no need to waste words.
Seeing Beckett give the order directly, Ethan silently praised his decisiveness. For a regular man to become the main villain in Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and 3, he did have some capability.
Unfortunately for him, he had run into Ethan. There was no way he could've imagined the level of power Ethan now possessed—something far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Ethan slowly stood, one hand behind his back and the other waving lightly, as though brushing away an annoying fly.
As he moved, a visible blue ripple spread from him. Several soldiers approaching to capture him were blown back on the spot.
The ripple didn't dissipate after striking them. It continued outward toward the circle of musketeers, causing most of them to stumble and fall.
As they lost their balance, many musketeers reflexively pulled their triggers. But since they were falling, most bullets flew harmlessly into the ceiling. None were aimed at Weatherby Swann or Will Turner.
The accuracy of these smoothbore muskets was already poor. Bullets often veered off after firing. Still, it wasn't so bad that a musket aimed at the ceiling would somehow hit someone on the floor.
One unlucky—or lucky—bullet struck the chandelier overhead. And as fate would have it, the chandelier happened to hang right above Ethan and the others.
"Look out!"
Seeing the massive chandelier fall, Will Turner, who still hadn't fully grasped what was happening, instinctively shouted. He tried to tackle Ethan aside, but there was no time. Just as he moved, the chandelier was already falling.
How could Ethan be harmed by a chandelier? Even if it hit him, it wouldn't do any damage with his current physique.
But he was in the middle of showing off. Getting coated in dust from a falling chandelier would ruin his flair. To maintain his image, he kept one hand behind his back and waved the other casually again.
A translucent blue energy shield formed, stopping the falling chandelier in its tracks. With a gentle flick of his hand, the heavy fixture flew sideways and knocked down several soldiers who hadn't misfired earlier and had gotten up to shoot again.
From start to finish, Ethan had moved only one hand. His gaze remained fixed on Beckett.
Whether it was the earlier energy ripple or the chandelier interception, Ethan had not harmed Beckett in the slightest. The soldiers around him had been flung away, but Beckett himself only felt a gentle breeze pass by.
Though he was unharmed, his body felt stiff and uncomfortable. Just as he was about to say something, he was startled to notice—Ethan seemed to be glowing.
(To be continued.)